diesel



(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. DIESEL. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HEAT INTO WORK.

No. 542,846. Patented July 16, 1895. v4

WITNESSES} 4. 71-

INVENTOR: RuAoLfi Dxesek BY Walla/WW;

ATTOR Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.) 7

R. DIESEL. METHOD OF ANDAPIARATUS FOR GONVERTIN No..542,846.

G HEAT INTO WORK. Patented July 16 lnvem'kovz mam mesa,

filomey.

(No Modql.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

R. DIESEL; METHOD OF'AND APPARATUS FOR GONVERTING HEAT INTO WORK.

No. 542,846. Patented July 16, 1895.

Wiivwsses'. harm 130v:

lkkovmq 7 (No Model.)

B. DIESEL.

5 Sheets-Sheet 4.

METHOD 0 AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HEAT INTO WORK. A Patented July 16, 1895.

Witness es: 9%. 292 @922;

AHOY my;

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 5.

, R. DIESEL.

METHOD ()1? AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HEAT INTO WORK. No. 542,846. Patented July 16, 1895. I l F A Q} 47 I i I I 1 E9 in I Ir] f I 9 l I l l 11??? l i i I I K 5 l A A i I g I. .V I 17 l l I i l J J Wax Lassa? Kmrmfiov:

muagxg Diesh suing combustion or explosion a sudden in- ,3 the combustion is essentially finished.

RUDOLF DIESEL, OF

BERLIN, GERMANY.

- METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING HEAT |NTO'WORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters yatent: NO. 542,846, dated J 16, 1895.

Application filed Auzust 26,1892. Serial Ho. 444,248. (No modelJ fatented in Germany February 28, 1892,1111. 67,20]; in Switzer and April 2, 1802, Ho- 6,221. and in England April 14, 1892. No. 7,241.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LRUDOLF DIESEL, a subect of the King of Bavaria, residing at Berlin, in the Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, have invented a new and useful Process for Obtaining Motive Power by the Combustion of Fuel of Any Kind, (for which I have obtained Letters Patent in Great Britain, No. 7,141, dated April 14, 1892; in Switzerland, No. 5,221, dated April 2, 1892, and in Germany, No. 67,207, dated February 28, 1892,) of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to improvements in the methods of and apparatus for converting heat into work.

In theaccompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the theoretical diagram of a gasengine of a usual construction. Figs. 2 and 3 are theoretical diagrams of the cycles accordingto my invention. Fig. 4 isa sectional elevation of asingle-acting engine constructed according to my invention. Fig. 5 isa sectional detail thereof. Fig. 6 illustrates detail sections of the admission-plugs for the fuel. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of a modified form of engine. Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional elevations of a second modified form. Fig. 10 is a sectional plan thereof.

Similar letters and figures indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The cycle of the ordinary internal combuslion-engines is illustrated by the theoretical diagram shown in Fig. 1. The curve 1 2 in said diagram representsthe'compressiou of the mixture of air and gaseous fuel. At point 2 the mixture is ignited and by the now encrease of pressure is produced, accompanied by a very considerable increase in temperature. The explosion being substantially instantaneous, the stroke of the piston during combustion is approximately zero. At point From 3 to 1 an expausiontakes place in perpressure and temperature.

. lleretofore the combustion of the gaseous mixture has been left entirely to itself immediately after ignition, no attempt having been made to regulate or control the pressure and temperature during the combustion with reference to the existing volume of the body of air. From this condition of matters resultthe following disadvantages: First, the temperature produced by the combustion is so high that it is impossible to obtain a mean temperature which will permit lubrication and the maintenance of the parts inproper condition for practical working without the presence of arrangements for cooling the cylinders; second, the products of combustion are insufficiently cooled by expansion and escape while in a hot condition, with the consequent loss of heat and energy. Particular types of the above-mentioned class of engines also possess the same defects.

In engines where the air is first com pressed from 1 to 2, Fig. l, and the fuel then injected in the neighborhood of point 2 and the mixture ignited simultaneously with injection, show the increase of pressure 2 3 and a considerable increase of temperature. Again, the same takes place in engines which carry the compression of the gaseous mixture to such a degree that the same is spontaneously ignited by the temperature of compression.

The points of ignition of most fuels are very low. (Petroleum at from to 100 centigrade.) When by compression this temperature has been reached, (in the case of petroleum at a pressure lessthan five atmospheres and in the case of gas at about fifteen atmospheres,) the ignition takes place, and by the ensuing combustion the temperature is very considerably raised and the increase of pressure 2 3, Fig. 1, is produced. The highest temperature of combustion is entirely independent of the burning or igniting points, thesame depending on the physical properties of the fuel. Practically, of course, the combustion or explosion requires a short but material time, and for this reason the line 2 3 is not quite vertical, but somewhat inclined, with a rounded transition at 3.

The characteristic feature of the cycles of all these engines may therefore be expressed as follows: increase of pressure and temperature by andduring combustion and the subsequent performance of work by expansion, the process of combustion being left to itself after ignition.

a erases The method forming my present invention difl'ers from all those previously described, and is illustrated by the theoretical diagram shown in Fig. 2. Referring to this diagram,

pure atmospheric air is compressed, accord" ing to curve 1 2, to such adegree that, before ignition or combustion takes place, the highest pressure of the diagram and the highest temperature are obtained-that is to say, the

temperature at which the subsequent combustion has to take place, not the burning or igniting point. To make this more clear, let it be assumed that the subsequent combustion shall take place at a temperature of 700. Then in that case the initial pressure mustbe sixty-four atmospheres, or for 800* centigrade the pressure must be ninety atmospheres, and so on. Into the air thus compressed is then gradually introduced from the exterior finelydivided fuel, which ignites on introduction, since the air is at a temperature far above the igniting-point of the fuel. The gases in the cylinder are now permitted to expand with the gradual introduction of fuel and the ex-.-

pansion so regulated that the decrease in temperature by expansion counterbalances the heat produced by the combustion of the fresh The' eEect of combustion particles of fuel. will therefore not be increase in temperature or pressure, but increase in actual energy exerted. The combustiontakes place acoording to the curve 2 3, Fig. 2, from which it will be seen that it is not in the natnreof an explosion, but rather takes place during a period of time corresponding to the portion w of the stroke of the piston and determined by the point of cut-oh. At the point of cutctf 3 the supply of fuel ceases and the expansion of the gases of combustion, without transfor of heat, continues according to curve 34.

Since the pressure at point 2 of the diagram was very high and is still very hight at point 3, the consequent expansion after cut-oi! (3 to 4) so cools the gases that in leaving the engine they carry away only an insignificant quantity of heat. It will thus be seen that the combustion of the gases is not left to itself after ignition, but is so regulated during its whole duration that pressure, temperature, and volume are in a prescribed proportion.

If the air were allowed to expand without any supply of fuel, the curve 2 1 would be formed-t. e., the expansion would do no work, but restore onlythe previous work of compression; but by gradually introducing fuel a difference of pressure p is formed between the curves 1 2 and 2 3, in consequence whereof a useful eflect is produced.

As with the other types" of engines before mentioned, the diagramwill'assume more the nature of the diagram shown by broken lines.

The characteristic features of the cycle according to my present invention are therefore, increase of pressure and temperature up to the maximum, not by combustion, but prior to combustion by mechanical compresslon of air, and thereupon the subsequent performance ofwork without increaseofpresr ure and temperatureby gradual combustion during a prescribed part of the stroke detera mined by the cut-oil.

According to what hasbeen above stated, the recess of combustion itself differs from all 't e hitherto methods, in that there is no increase of temperature produced, or at the most only a very slight one, and the highest or extreme temperature is, produced by the compression of the air. Itis therefore under control and will be kept within moderate limits, and moreover, in view of the cooling 8c of the products of combustion by the subsequent expansion, no artificial cooling is required for the cylinder, the mean temperature of the gases being such that the parts of the engine can be kept tight and lubricated.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a diagram obtained when the previously -described method is varied by cooling the air during the flrstportion of the compression for instance, by means of an injection of water. In this case theflat curve 1 2 is formed and then the steeper curve 2-2. By this means I can. attain considerably higher pleasures that! those obtained by the first method without reaching such high temperatures aswould necessitate artiticialcoolingcf the cylinder. In consequence of the greater fall of pressure in expanding from 3 to 4,the gases are cooled toa greater extent than before and a higher useful effect is obtained. The exhaust-gases loo may in this case be cooled even below the temperature of the surrounding atmosphere and utilized for refrigerating purposes.

My methodof working the fuels may be carried out with any kind of fuel, whether' :05 solid, liquid, or gaseous. In thecaaeof liquids, gases, or vapors a jet of the fluid under press are is dispersed in as flnelydivided state as possible into the comprened air during the period of admission. Solid fuels may be inno troduced in a pulverulent or commiuuted condit-ion. Such solid fuels which-agglomerate in heating or are unsuitable for other reasons are previously converted into gases. Liquid fuels may be previouslyconverted n 5 into vapor and introduced in this form. Substances-such, for instance, as anthracitewhich are not readily inflammable maybe mixed with readily-inflammable material, such as petroleum or the like.

The method of working the fuel above described may be carried out in any suitable engine, either single or double acting, and in engines containing one or more cylinders.

I will now proceed to describe some particu r z 5 lar forms especially constructed for carrying out said method. if

Reference being bad at present to Figs. 4 and 5. of the drawings, the letter C designates a single-acting cylinder especially constructed 0 for the use of coal in a finely-divided condition. P is a pin uger constructed for high pressures. b is the connecting-rod; c, the crank;

d, the shaft, and a the guides for the plunger.

E is the'gove'rno'r w'hose shaft g is connected to the shaft d by suitable gears at At the upper end of the cylinder is locate a hopper B provided with a charging-opening n, Fig. 5, and placed in communication with the cylinder. *A disk-valve k "closes the discharge end of the hopper and below the same is located a turning valve or plug D by which the fuel is fed to the cylinder. A is the air-admission valve arranged in a passage entering the cylinder laterally. 'The valves are in this instanceoperated from a horizontal shaft h geared to the governor-shaft g. n the distributing-shaft h is secured a cam '11, connected with the stem of the air-admission valve A, and on said shaft is mounted a sec- I and similar cam operating the hopper-valve k by a lever-and-rod connection m. Suitable springs I hold the valves A upon their seats. The fuel-admission valve D is turned by a suitable worm-and-gear connection with the distributing-shaft h.

Referring to Fig. 6, it will be seen that the valve D is provided with a radial groove or chamber 1*, which, when facing upward, is charged with fuel and when brought to face downward discharges the same into the cylinder, thev pressure being equalized owing to the loose condition of the fuel.

I will now proceed to describe the-operation of the engine. On the first downward stroke of the plunger induced by the inertia of the fly wheel atmospheric air is drawn into the cylinder through the open admissionvalve A. The midway position of the plunger P is shown by full lines in Fig. 4, in which position the valve A is closed. 0n the succeedi'ng upward stroke, also induced by the inertia of the fly-wheel, the air in the cylinder is compressed by plunger P to such an extent that the temperature at which later on the combustion has to take place is produced by this compression only. The pressure is determined by the temperature of combustion of the fuel. On the second downward stroke or actual working stroke of the plunger the fuel-admission valve D is turned to admit the fuel to the cylinde r.- This introduction of fuel takes place gradually with the turning of the valve in proportions depending on the size ofthechamber'rtherein. Thefuel,asitgradually falls into the highly-compressed air, ignites and is consumed. producing heat which is converted into work on the forward stroke of the piston. The supply of fuel continues until the piston has arrived to the position 3, when the chamber '1- is empty and has cleared the inlet-opening of the cylinder. After the point of cut-off the gases continue to expand and perform work, while in view of the great reduction in pressure they are considerably cooled, and this solely by doing work. Consequently'the cylinder need not be cooled by artificial means, but may be provided with an insulating-jacket s. On the second upward stroke of the piston the exhaust-gases are driven out with considerable force through the valve A or through a separate exhaust-f opening into a pipe p and led away. The residues of combustion being suspended in a finely-divided state in the whirling'gases are blown out with the same. The motor is started by introducing through the opening '0 compressed air from a reservoir by means of the pipe q. If desired a special device may be used at q for igniting a small quantity of explosive matter. The supply of fuel is regulated by the governor E in any suitable mannor-for instance, by permitting the hoppervalve k to remain closed in case the engine runs too fast, thus depriving the engine of 7 fuel until the normal speed is re-establishod.

This may be accomplished by throwing the end of the lever m out of contact with its operating-cam 'i for one or more strokes of the engine by the rod-and-lever system 12., connected with the sleeve of the governor.

It is evident that the engine described may.

be arranged horizontally without altering the principle of the construction by suitably changing the positions of the parts or a double-acting engine may be constructed on the same principle; also, two or moresingle engines may be coupled in the usual manner to form a multiple engine.

The compression of the air, as well as the expansion of the gases, may be elfected by increments. An engine for operating in this manner I have illustrated in Fig. 7. In this figure the valves are indicated diagrammatically. The frame, the connecting-rod, the flywheel, &c., are omitted, all these parts being exactly the same as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The engine consists of two cylinders C with plungers Pthat is' to say, two cornbustioncylinders, the construction, distributing devices, &c., of which are identical to those of the cylinder represented in Figs. 4 and 5. These two cylinders C are connected by means of the controlled valves 12 to the two sides of a larger central cylinder B, and by the two valves a, which are also controlled, thetwo combustion-cylinders are in communication with the air-reservoir L. The cranks of the two cylinders C are arranged in the same position and they form, with the crank of the central cylinder B, an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees. The operation of this engine is as follows: The piston Q of cylinder B draws in air during its upward stroke through valve (1, compresses the latter in its downstroke to a certain pressure, and then forces the air through valve 9 to the air reservoir L. The lower part of the central cylinder therefore only serves as an air-pump and effects the preparatory compression of the air for combustion. This preparatory compression should go only to such an extent that the heath of the air-vessel. The process may, however, he carried out either with or without injection of water." The action in the cylinder 0 is exactly the same as has been described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, excepting that piston I does not draw in the airdirectly from the atmosphere, but from reservoirL, in which the air is under pressure. On its upstroke piston P therefore effects the second stage of the compression up to the prescribed degree. The lower and upper end positions of the pisten are shown in dotted lines and marked 1 and 2. Piston P now moves downward again to position 3, fuel being during this time gradually introduced and the combustion controlled, as above described. At3 the admission of fuel ceases and the air continues to expand. When the piston has arrived in its lowest position, valve b opens, and piston Q is atthis moment just in its upper position owing to the arrangement of the cranks. Piston P then moves upward and piston Q downward, and a further expansion of the combustion gases up to the volume of cylinder B takes place, whereupon valve b closes and valve f opens, so that in the ensuing upward stroke of piston Q the gases of combus-' tion are expelled through valve f into the atmosphere in a perfectly-cool condition, since their entire heat will have been consumed by the work done in expanding.

It has already been mentioned that in this construction the exhaust-gases can be caused to escape with a temperature which is below that of the surrounding atmosphere, so that they may then serve for refrigeration. As the cylinders C have a working-stroke only once in every two revolutions, I attain by arranging two such cylinders a working-stroke for each revolution, as the combustion is made to take place alternately in the two cylinders. There is no objection to using only one combustion-cylinder in place of two, or, on the other hand, more than two, in which latter case the lower part of the cylinder B may then be used as an expansion-cylinder. The air-pump for the preparatory compression should then be arranged separately and force previously-compressed air into the reservoir L. The compressed air in the reservoir L serves in this construction also for starting the motor, as the latter may be fed during several revolutions from this reservoir with full pressure, the ignition taking place after the fly-wheel has attained the necessary momentum.

The device for gradually introducing fuel is dependent on the peculiar properties of i the material employed. For solid pulverized substances in lieu of the described revolving cock a powder-nozzle or a small pump may be used. For liquids a spray-nozzle or a 'small pump is employed. For gases also a small pump or any other suitable device per-.

mitting the gradual introduction of the fuel in a definite proportion to the piston-stroke may be used.

Figs. 8 to 10 show a construction for a motor in which liquid fuel is employed, and at the same time the external distributing device, in particular the device for gradually introducing fuel, is of a quite different construction. This engine consists of two identical single-acting cylinders provided with plunger-pistons, the cranks of which arearranged on the common fly-wheel shaft in the same position. The frame, flywheel, and distributing device are substantially the same as illustrated in Figs. 4and 5 and therefore not represented. The combustion in the cylinders takes place alternately, so that at each revolution a working-stroke is eflected. The process in each cylinder is the same as described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, viz: drawing in of air through valve V, then compression by one stroke up to the end position 20f the piston, (shown in dotted lines;) introduction of liquid fuel. through nozzle D and combustion of same during the prescribed period of admission 2 3, Fig. 8; finally, ex-

pansion of the gases of combustion and exhausting through valve V into an outwardleading pipe R. As the drawing in of air follows immediately after the exhaust, the valve V remains open during a whole.revolution and then closed during a whole revolution. This simplest possible regulation is effected by cam S, Figs. 9 and 10, by means of the bent lever, as shown in the drawings. The cam S is carried by the distributing-shaft W, which latter is driven by the shaft of the flywheel in a similar way, as in Figs. 4 and 5. The nozzle D is kept closed by the needle n and serves for gradually admitting the fuel.

The liquid fuel is in the inner space r of the nozzle D, and is maintained there by means of a feed-pump (not shown) provided with an air-chamber under a pressure which is higher than the highest pressure of compression of the air in the cylinder.

In Fig. 10 is shown att the branch pipe for the liquid fuel coming from the pump and leading to the nozzle. At the moment of the highest compression-i. e., when the piston is in the position 2-the needle n is opened by the distribnting-gearand allowsa thin jet of liquid to enter through the very small opening D, as the liquidis under a pressure greater than the cylinder-pressure. This entrance of fuel continues up to position 3 of the piston, wherethe distributing device buts it on? exactly, whereupon the gases of combustion, continue to expand. For regulating the jet of fuel I have provided hereexactly the same construction by which, in-Sulzers valve-gears, the period of steam admission is regulated. An eccentric E moves the steel side piece q in an oviform curve up and down. The steel block 1 is attached to the rod which actuates needle n. As soon as the pieceg, moving downward, strikes against the piece r, the needle is opened and remains open until the steel piece q releases the piece r. As the piece 0* is adjustable from the governor ceases by means of the rod St, (see Fig. 9,) the governor regulates simultaneously in the two cylinders the duration of the period of admission of fuel, and in consequence thereof the speed of the engine.

lnFigs. 8 and 10 there is formed roundthe nozzle D an annular space s, which is in free communication with the interior, of the cylinder. When the piston moves backward under decreasing pressure, the air flows from this annular space back into the cylinder and serves in this way both for dividing the jet of fuel and for producing turbulent motion for distributing the combustion heat overthe whole air volume. This annular space sis only of practical importance and is not essential for the process.

There is, moreover, in Figs. 8 and 10 at 0 an opening for introducing compressed air or gases from explosive substances serving to start the motor. When in Fig. 8, in place of liquid, gas or vapor is compressed in the inner space '1' of the nozzle D t same construction may be employed. It is therefore not necessary to show a construction of engine for this application. It is especially to be remarked that the thermal results are independent of the kind of gas contained in the cylinder. It is suflicient if the quantity of air necessary for combustion is provided. The other considerable quantity of gas, which acts only as a carrier of heat, may. consist in former combustion gases, added foreign gases, and vapors or aqueous vapor without altering the result. I

It follows from the above that closed engines might be arranged so as to take up at each stroke only a small quantity of fresh air for insuring the combustion, but which retain essentially always the same body of gas, a

small exhaust of course excepted.

' WhatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. The herein described process for converting the heat energy of fuel into work, consisting in first compressing air, or a mixture of air and neutral gas or vapor, to a degree producing a temperature above the igniting point of the fuel to be consumed, then gradually introducing the fuel for combustion into the compressed air while expanding against a resistance sufliciently to prevent an essential increase of temperature and pressure, then discontinuing the supply of fuel and further expanding without transfer of heat.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with the cylinder and piston, of a valved suction inlet for air or a mixture of air and neutral gas, a valved fuel feed constructed to gradually discharge the fuel into the cylinder, and means in operative connection with the feed valve for opening the same at the commencement of the working stroke of the piston and for closing the same at a predetermined part of the stroke, substantially as described.

3. In an internal character specified, the combination of a combustion cylinder provided with means for gradually introducing fuel therein up to the point of cut-off, a compressor for air, a reservoir connected with the latter and with the cylinder, and an expansion chamber for the exhaust gases, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification .in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RUDOLF- DIESEL.

Witnesses:

Lunwre GLASER, EDUARD PEITZ.

combustion engine of the 

